27 July 2009

When I first saw the Big Ugly Painting (BUP, from now on) in Goodwill last week, my first thought was probably much like yours. Blech! It's got that scary 1970'x frame and I particularly liked how the frame had been highlighted with burnt orange paint. {shudder}

The more I looked at BUP, the more my wheels started to spin. It's a real (unsigned) painting. Grandma Esther probably took up oil painting as a hobby in the 70's and this was one of her creations. How it ended up at Goodwill, I don't know.

If you can get past the orange being unpleasantly highlighted by the frame, the colors aren't bad...yellow, cream, white, green and even the orange. For $4.00, I figured BUP was worth bringing home to see if my hunch was right.

Would painting the frame a soft white, completely change the look of BUP and make it into something I love. I say YES!!! I'm totally in love now!

I took the picture out of the frame by removing the nails in the back. Then I cleaned the whole thing really well with baby wipes (they were handy). Then a coat of white spray primer and two coats of soft white spray paint (Rustoleum Heirloom White - satin finish.). That's it!

I think Grandma Esther had a bit of Picasso in her. No? There was something about that changing the color of the frame that made it look like a totally new (and beautiful) painting, in my opinion.

BUP was a part of Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality. If you want to see what else I found this past week, click here.

Way to go! Isn't it amazing how that white flower jumps to center stage in the refurbished frame? I love the "new" painting! And I love the fact that you took what was once beautiful and made it beautiful again in a completely new way. That's cool.

kimba - i must confess that when i saw it last night in the "before" stage, i didn't see anything wrong with it (i didn't even mind the frame-i must really be old). today - it's a brand new thing! i'm glad you saved it from a paint over :) it looks beautiful in your corner.

And, the painting is awesome. Anytime I go to a thrift store, I *always* search the paintings to see if I can do something with what they have. I've gotten a couple of great things for my parents house and some didn't even need painting!

I am new to your blog and I just have to say that the repainting of that BUP took more courage and conviction than... than I would EVER have. It looks freaking fantastic. I am so impressed. Original art. Not mass-produced and printed by Ikea. I love it. You are to be commended and I am actually feeling a bit soppy about the fact that somebody's art has a new lease on life. Way to go!

Hi Kimba,wow, you were sure right, that white frame makes all the difference. It does actually look like a pretty picture now. You have such a creative eye. Great buy on those outdoor rugs too. good for you, Isn't God good to us.Blessings, Nellie

The white paint made all the difference! I have a painting question for you.. I am painting my kitchen table black and wanted to use a satin finish. The paint guy said that it will be harder to clean then gloss, but I really don't want to use gloss. So, since you have kids and a satin table, do you think it cleans easily? Thanks for your help! I Love your blog!! btw, i already sprayed the legs black satin and I wanted to roll the top.

Hello Kimba - love what you did with the painting! This just confirms what I've already known - heirloom white can transform anything...even the BUPs of the world. Now the painting stands out, not the hideous frame. Great job!